A meniscus, so called from its resembling the crescent moon.
Sometimes, as in the Ornithorhynchus, the meniscus is absent.
In order to obtain an accurate result, the meniscus should be removed.
With most instruments the reading is taken from the bottom of the meniscus.
The height of the meniscus is then read on a millimetre scale attached to the capillary.
The temperature of the thermostat is then raised degree by degree, and the height of the meniscus at each point ascertained.
A correction must be introduced for the error caused by the meniscus of the mercury.
The addition of a few drops of potash solution destroys the meniscus, and allows of a close reading of the volume.
In one case we found the meniscus separated at both ends and lying between the bones and the capsule.
In the later stages, the condyle, together with the meniscus, may be worn away and completely disappear.
"crescent-shaped body," 1690s in reference to lenses, c.1812 in reference to liquid surfaces, Modern Latin meniscus, from Greek meniskos "lunar crescent," diminutive of mene "moon" (see moon (n.)). Related: Meniscoid.
meniscus me·nis·cus (mə-nĭs'kəs)
n. pl. me·nis·cus·es or me·nis·ci (-nĭs'ī, -kī, -kē)
A crescent-shaped body.
A concavo-convex lens.
The curved upper surface of a nonturbulent liquid in a container that is concave if the liquid wets the walls and convex if it does not.
A disk of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the ends of bones in a joint.
| meniscus Plural menisci (mə-nĭs'ī, -kī, -kē) or meniscuses
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